PUBLICATION RECEIVED.

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 33

PUBLICATION RECEIVED.

The Australian edition of the "Review of Reviews " is an accomplished fact, and the first number has reached us. It is a publication of over 120 pages, exclusive of those devoted to advertisements, and is surely a good ninepence worth. It consists of the full English edition for June incorporated with 20 pages of Australian literary contents. In an open letter addressed to the English-speaking folk under the Southern Cross, Mr W. T. Stead, the editor-in-chief of the " Review of Reviews," explains why the publication takes root in Australia. He expresses himself as convinced that the time has come, and fully pome, for the appearance of the Australian edition. At the same time he has received more than one remonstrance against the project. "We don't want any Australian edition," say these correspondents ; we want the ' Review of Reviews '" to continue to be what it is now — not Australian, but English and European. Australia is always with us. Once a month at least let us breath the air of the motherland." But Sir Stead says the Australian edition will make no difference to these readers. Every page and every word that appears in the English edition, even including its advertisements, will continue to appear in the Australian "Review of Reviews." But he is convinced that if the publication is to become as useful as he wishes it to be at the antipodes it must be Australianised. Of one # thing he assures all his readers — that the Australian edition of the " Review of Reviews " will be what the Australians wish it to be. "Its editor, Mr Fitchett," says Mr Stead, "has carte blanche, and it rests with our readers to indicate whether or not this attempt to afford an opening for Australian talent meets with their approval and support." Among the special features of the present number may be noted the portraits of the delegates at the National Australasian Conference, held last year, this being given as a frontispiece, while the editorials, dealing with the progress of the colonies, are illustrated with portraits of Sir G. R. Dibbs, the Hon. F. W. Holder (Premier of South Australia), Lord and Lady Glasgow, Mr Eddy, and Mr Schey — the two latter being the accused and the complainant respectively in the recent railway inquiry in New South Wales. The diary and obituary are brought up to date on similar lines to those adopted in the English edition, and portraits of the late Lord Ancram and the late Sir Harry Atkiuson appear in this connection. The poverty of the subjects may fairly be held responsible for the fact that not much is given under the several headings of "Books Relating to Australia," "Poetry for the Month," " The Weekly Journals of Australia," " Caricatures of the Month," "Australian State Papers," and " Current Australian Literature." Mr Livingstone Hopkins, of the Sydney Bulletin, who forms the subject of the first of a series of sketches of Australian caricaturists, is appreciatively dealt with, and some of the cartoons by " Hop," which is his pseudonym, are reproduced. The design which has been adopted for the cover of the Australian edition has been modelled chiefly uppn one of 150 submitted in response to the editor's appeal for designs with modifications suggested by other of the competitive designs. The topmost corners are occupied with portraits of Mr Stead and the Rev. W. H. Fitchett, the English editor and Australian editor respectively. A colonial colouring js supplied by the representation in heraldic shields of a sheep and an unkangaroo-like kaDgaroo.